Changing of the guard

Friday

Aug 13, 2004 at 3:25 AM

BOB BAUM Associated Press

GEORGIOUPOLIS, Greece

The next wave of U.S. sprinters is running in some really fast company.

Former Clemson star Shawn Crawford and Justin Gatlin have a shot at three medals each in Athens and a chance to add to a legacy that includes Maurice Greene and Carl Lewis. Anything less would be a letdown.

Crawford and Gatlin train together under Trevor Graham, who also coaches LaTasha Colander, the 100-meter champion at the Olympic trials. Graham also has coached Marion Jones and Gaffney's Tim Montgomery.

Crawford and Gatlin -- who will run the 100 and 200 meters in Athens along with the 400-meter relay -- say training together is a big part of their success.

"It keeps us on our toes," Gatlin said. "There's no ego-tripping or (thinking) one's faster than the other. Everytime we go to the track, we shake hands and may the best man win."

Crawford, 26, dominated the 100 meters early in the season, but was third in the U.S. trials. He recovered and won the 200 at the trials, setting a meet record of 19.88 seconds. Gatlin, 22, was runner-up in the 100 and 200.

Crawford has the world's fastest 100 time this year -- 9.88 at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore. -- and the fastest 200 time with his 19.88 in Sacramento. Gatlin had a 9.92 at the U.S. trials, fifth best in the world.

Only Crawford and Jamaican teen sensation Usain Bolt have surpassed Gatlin's 20.01 time in the 200 this year.

"There's nothing like having an elite sprinter out there practicing with you every day," Crawford said. "Then you don't have to psych yourself up when you come to competitions because you've got a real tough competition right there in practice with you."

Crawford was alternately great and disappointing in an inconsistent career until he began working with Graham last November.

"It's a consistent program, and it's been a long time since I've been part of a consistent program and working out consistently," Crawford said. "He's offered me a lot of advice and a lot of teaching on the technical aspect of my race -- directing everything from the start line to the finish line straight down the track."

Graham had an acrimonious split with Jones and Montgomery, and the San Jose Mercury News has identified him as the coach who gave U.S. authorities a sample of the designer steroid THG. The sample helped authorities develop a test to detect the drug. Graham has denied ever giving an athlete banned performance enhancers.

Whatever Graham's reputation, Crawford credits the coach for his emergence as a consistent sprint threat.

"The potential has always been there inside of me," Crawford said. "The ability has always been there. It's just the fact of getting the fitness level to be able to go out and try to compete consistently and efficiently. That's the part that Trevor brought to the table."